LITTLE BIRD’S ABC

The small square shape and multicolored checked spine and endpapers are reminiscent of Chris Raschka’s Mysterious Thelonious. But inside, this small alphabet book with its ink-and-watercolor birds on white backgrounds raises some questions about audience. A green semi-circular slash for the letter “C” is accompanied by two little birds in trees, catching each other’s eyes before going, “Chirp chirp chirp” to each other. “G” is “Grrr!!” as a big bird snarls at a smaller one that has just pulled its tail. “M” for “Mmm” is followed by “N” (“Nice worm!”), as a multicolored bird swallows the hapless crawler. A chicken graphically plops an egg into a nest for “P.” Small children will probably be amused, if they are not baffled, by the birds’ sometimes-rude antics (including burping, splatting poop and a “ffft”) and some of the expressions (“Alley-oop!” and “Jeepers creepers!”). “Yaaawwwn” and “Zzzz . . . ” conclude, but readers should keep their eyes open. (Picture book. All ages)